Hoisting apparatus



March 5, 1935.

W. F. ANDERSON HOISTING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 6, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR. IL uflM F. 14 N M850 ATTORNEY.

March 5, 1935. 1 w. F. ANDERSON HOI STING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 6, 1953 3 Sheets-SheetZ INVENTOR. i W/Lu/w E flNDE/EOA/ A TTORNE Y.

Mad! 5- w. F. ANDERSON I HOISTING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 6, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY.

handling stations.

Patented Mar. 5, 1935 UNITED T TES HOISTING APPARATUS William F. Anderson, Chicago, 111., assignor to 1 I I y 1 Fairbanks,.Morse & 00., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application November 6, 1933, Serial No. 696,761

" 12 Claims. (01. 214-103) This invention relates to improvements in hoisting apparatus, and more particularly to hoisting and transfer devic'esemployed in connection with the skip hoists of coal and sand An object of the present invention is to provide an improved material handling station which includes a plurality of storage bins, amaterial supply hopper, and a skip hoist which is arranged to deliver materials from the hopper team; of the storage bins, and means for selecting or predetermining the storage bin or bins into which the hoisting receptacle is to be discharged;

A still further object is attained in animproved material handling installation which includes a runway for a skip hoist, the skip hoist being arranged to deliver material from a supply hopper to any of a plurality of storage'bins, a.

manually actuated switching device associated with a. portion of the runway and one of l the storage bins, and electrical control means associated with the switching device for automatically determining the operation of the skip hoist.

Still further objects and advantages will appear from the following. detailed description of parts considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 7 I Fig. l isa longitudinal sectional elevation'of a preferred form of ma'te'rial handling station to which thepresent improvements are-applied; Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are, respectively, enlarged, fragmentary sectional elevations of a portion of the hoist track or runway, Fig; 2 indicating the positions of various parts of the track'and bin closure member, in the non-discharging hoist position, whileFig.-3 indicates the positions of' various parts of the apparatus, 'in' such relation that the skip is about to enter ahorizontal portion of the runway for unloading, Fig. 4 showing a succeeding position of the skip hoist in its discharging position; Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation as viewed along line 5-5 of Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken along line-6-6 of Fig. '2;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary section taken along line 77 of Fig. 5; Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation of a portion of the skip hoist runway; Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary "section taken along line 9-9 iri'Fig'. 8,"and i 'ig1 10 panying drawings relates; to a single preferred executional embodiment of the invention, and that substantial changes may be made in the described construction and arrangement of parts without departing fromthe spirit andfulhin- 5 tended scopeof the invention. V V Referring by numerals of reference to the. drawings, the numerallO designates, generally, a preferred form of materialhandling installa*- tion which includes a material supply' hopper ll within a loading pit l2. 'flhe'hopper 11 'is, by preference, disposed below'the ground level and immediately below railway trackage 13 so that the loaded cars upon the tracks may dumpjby gravity directly into the hopper. A roof orhous i 1 5 ing structure 14 is provided'immediately above the tracks and hopper 11 for protectionof thje material and equipment against weather conditions. The loading hopper 11 is,-by preference, provided with a closure'gate 15 of any; suitable or conventional type, through whiclrthe material may be discharged into 'a hoisting receptacle 6 16. This skip or receptacle;includesrby pref erence, a bucket portion l7 with which is piv I otally associated a. bail 18 the crosshead; of which 25 receives a hoisting cable 19. The bail' portion" of the skip is, by preference, provided with a pair. of flanged wheels 20, and the bucket portion with one pair offlanged wheels 20,"and another pair 21. This skip is arranged to travelonfand 3 between a pair of guide rails 22 which'are so positioned relative to the discharge chute of the hopper 11,;thatthe skip is aligned in its down? wardtravel with respect to the chute,-and so i that, at or near its lowest limit o f travel as de- 35 termined by a suitable stop (not; shown) the upper or open side of the skip is, brought into. material-receiving position below the hopper .l 1. -In the illustrated example; a pair of materialf storage bins 23 and 24 are shown as alignedwithl and spaced from each other, and from the re ceiving hopper 11. The bin 23 beingnearestthe. hopper 11, is, by preference, of less. capacity than the bin 24. These-bins are, by preference, supported by structures 2 5 and 26 re'spectively; whichmay conform'in shape to-the'bins. tracks or guide rai1s'22 are partly supported upon the structures-25 and 26, and pairtly m structure 27. It will of course be understoodftha'tj the skip hoist-bucket 17 is arranged to deliver-1 material 'to either of the bins 23 or '24, but 'in order'to' insure-delivery to a-seIectdbiii thereZ is provided an improvedmechanism which is' of-a plurality thereof if required;

"PATENT 1 OFFICE According to present preference the wheels 20 and 21 are all of the same wheel gauge, and travel inside the same guide rails 22, but the wheels 20 on the bail 18, and those on the rear of the bucket 17 are provided with a wider wheel tread than the wheels 21 on the forward end of the bucket, for a purpose hereinafter appearing.

For the purpose of effecting discharge of material into the bin 23, there is provided a hand wheel 28 (Figs. 2 and 5), which is secured'to a shaft or rod 29 provided with a worm 30 which meshes with a worm gear 30A, secured to a shaft 31 (Fig. 5) supported in suitable bearings 32' attached to the superstructure 25 of the bin 23. Levers 33 are, by preference, secured to the shaft 31 so that when the shaft is rotated, cams 34 impinge upon rollers 35 secured to the under surface of a closure member 36 hingedlymounted on the superstructure of the bin. These lever members extend through slots 37 when thelid or closure member is in the closed position as shown in Fig. 2. As the shaft 31 is rotated, the cams 34 serve to unseat the closure member 36 by movement thereof about its pivot point 38, as shown in Fig.3. At'the same time arms 39, constituting "closure-actuating abutments carried by the closure member, are elevated to a position between the guide rails 22, and within the path of movement of the crosshead of the bail of the skipbucket, for a purpose soon to appear. At the same time'arms 40, secured to the shaft 31, are'rotated so that one of the arms engages a switch lever 41 which is operatively a part of an electric switch 60, enclosed within a housing 42, and the circuit relation and function of which is illustrated by Fig. 10. Such actuation of the lever' il opens" the electriccircuit of the bucketpropelling mechanism so that the skip hoist is prevented from movingunless the control elements are positioned inone or'theother extremes of movement."

-For the purpose of controlling the trackage to determine discharge or not, into the bin 23, arms 43 are secured to the shaft 31, and are-pivot'ally connected by links 44 to arm portions 45 carried'by a shaft 46 supported in bearings 47 conveniently carried by the guide rails. Arms 48 secured to shaft 46 are connected to track switches 49 by means of links 50. These switches arepivoted upon pins 51, which are secured to stationary portions of the track rails, and are also provided with rail surfaces 52. It will be seen from Fig. 6 that'the rail surfaces 52 of the switch elements present a wider tread surface than do the guide rails 22 immediately there-.

below, this'diiference existing for a purpose hereinafter appearing. Such a switch structure is located at each side of the track above the bin, and is of a length approximately corresponding to that of the openings 53 in the rails-22 of the track.

It appears from the drawings that when the track switch elements'are pivotally moved to the position shown in'Fig. 5, the wheels 21 of the hoist bucket, being of a narrowertread, will follow a horizontal section 54 of rail, while the wheels 20, being of wider tread, will follow the.

guide rails 22 of the track proper. This is due to the fact that, as the wheels 20 pass the openings 53, the rail sections 55 at each side of the guide rails and adjacent the openings, serve to support and bridge thewheels 20 over the gap. It is seen thatas the loaded hoist bucket moves upwardly along the-inclined runway, assuming the parts to be positioned as in Fig. '3, the

crosshead 56 of the bail abuts the arms 39 attached to the bin cover, and continued forward movement of the bucket pivots the cover or closure member 36 to a fully open position. Since the arms 39 are engaged by the forward part of the skip bucket structure, opening of the closure 36 takes place somewhat in advance of the tipping of the bucket to unloading position (Fig. 4).

The operation incident to, and results attained by manipulation of the control wheel 28 are thought to be apparent from Figs. 2, 3 and 4; it may however, be pointed out that rotation of the, shaft 29 by the wheel, in one direction, serves to actuate the shaft 31 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. Such actuationserves 'to'move the arms 33 and cams 34 sults in'actuation of arms 39 to a point between the ,rails of the track 22, so that as the skip bucket attains a position prior to dumping into bin 23, the portion 56 of the skip bail abuts the ends of arms 39, and as the skip is moved farther along and upwardly of the track, the bin cover 36 is moved to fully open position as shown by Fig. 4, and is held in such position during dumping.

The clockwise actuation of shaft 31 further results, through arms 43, links 44, levers 45, 48 and links 50, in amovement of the switch elements 49 about their pivots 51 in such a direction that the switch elements 49 are rotated about their axes from the position shown in Fig. 6 topositionsshown in Fig. 5. It is seen that the members 49 are thus brought to clear the openings 53 in track rails 22, so that, as the skip receptacle attains the position of Fig. 3, the wheels 21 thereof will fall through the openings 53 and thereafter travel upon the horizontal elements 54 of the switching track. Continued movement of the skip receptacle, with-the parts in this relation, causes the receptacle to assume the position of Fig. 4, and thus to discharge its contents-into bin 23. V 7

The third result-attained by movement of the shaft 31 in the noted; direction, is the movement of arm 41 of the electrical switch 60 which is convenientlydisposed in one of the legs of the feeder circuit 61 provided for energization of the motor 62 in case an electrical drive is employed, as preferred. The arrangement of switch 60 is such that as the arm 41 is in a horizontal position, or any other than its extremes of movement where it contacts withone of the points 63 or 64, the motor circuit'is open, and hence it is impossible for the skip receptacle to'be moved beyond the bin23, except when the control shaft, is positioned in one of its extremes of movement.

My preference is to employ the switch 60 in addition to some suitable arrangement of limit and reversing switches, such that when the skip attains its loading position below the hopper 11, or reaches any of its predetermined discharge points, the limit and reversing switches automatically determine its movement and effect a subsequent reversal of drive according to the required cycle of operation. Such limit and reversing switches forming no part of the invention, are not herein illustrated.

Assuming the skip to-have been brought to the position shown by'Fig. 4,- and the material discharged therefrom by gravity, the hoist receptaclewill moveidownwardly of the track for the reception of anew load. As soon as the skip moves rial-receiving point of one of said discharge bins,

downwardly of the track, the closure member 36 will be permitted to return by gravity, to the position shown in Fig. 3 wherein the rollers again come to rest on the cams 34. So long as the control system of a given discharge station or bin remains as shown'by Fig. 3, the skip will always return to, but cannot be moved beyond this bin. As soon as any discharge bin becomes completely filled, or in case it is desired at any time to discharge the skip to some storage bin therebeyond, the control wheel 28 is actuated in a direction opposite its initial movement, which serves to rotate shaft 31 to bring the cams 34 into the position shown by Fig; 2, thus permitting the cover 36 to close. By the same operation the track switch members 49 will be restored from the position shown by Fig. 5, to that shown by Fig. 6, and the switch 60 brought from one closed position through its range of switch opening movement, to the opposite circuit-closing position. The loaded hoist will, under these conditions, continue past the switching point and proceed to some bin such as 24, which, if this be a terminal bin or receptacle, will be provided with suitable track openings corresponding to those shown at 53, and with a stationary skip-engaging abutment such as 65 for actuation of the cover 66 of bin 24 (Fig. 8) Engagementof the skip bail with the abutment 65 effects dumping as appears in Fig. l. I

It will, of course, be understood that a system of trackage and bins may be employed, utilizing any desired number of separate bins; further, that the bins andtrackage may be arranged either in line as shown, with the intermediate bin or bins provided with the selective discharge facilities, and the terminal bin without such facilities, or that if desired, the bins and trackage may be arranged along a closed course and all or any of the bins provided with the equipment illustrated by Figs. 2-5.

The selected embodiment of the invention is of course subject to modifications, additions and changes within the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In amaterial elevating and transfer device, a receiving bin, a plurality of storage bins, a track extending between said bins, a receptacle movable along the track, means for propelling the receptacle along the track, a movable closure for each of said storage bins, and provided with'an abutment, a track switch adjacent one of the storage bins, a control member for said track switch, and means operable responsively to the control member, for positioning the closure abutment in the path of a portion of the receptacle.

2. In a material elevating and transfer device, a receiving bin, a plurality of discharge bins, a track extending between said bins, a receptacle operable on the track, means for propelling the receptacle along the track, a movable closure for each of said discharge bins, provided with an abutment, a track switch adjacent one of the discharge bins, a control member for said track switch, means operable responsively to the control member for positioning the abutment for engagement by a portion of the receptacle, and means operable responsively to the control member, for determining the energization of said receptacle-propelling means.

3. In a device for lifting and transferring material, a loading bin, a plurality of discharge bins, a track connecting said bins, a bucket operable along the track, means for propelling the bucket along the track, a movable closure at the matean abutment associated with said closure, a track switch adjacent the closure, a member for actuating said track switch and a connection from said member for moving the abutment into and out of the path of the bucket as the track switch is moved from open to closedposition.

4. In a device for hoisting and transferring material, a hoisting receptacle, a track for said receptacle, a material-receivingbinlocated along said track and between the ends thereof, and provided with a material-receiving opening, a movable closure for said opening, means along the track positionable for selectively controlling the discharge of material into said opening, and means for causing actuation of said closure to open position by the receptacle, responsive to a predetermined setting of said discharge control means.

5. In a hoist for lifting and transferring material, a receptacle, a track for said receptacle, 2. material-receiving bin located along the track and provided with a material-receiving opening, a movable closure for said opening, means along the track selectively positionable to cause and prevent discharge of said receptacle into said opening, an abutment associated with said closure, a control member operable to actuate said discharge-control means, and a connection from said control member, adapted upon predetermined movement thereof, to unseat said closure and to position said abutment in the path of the hoisting receptacle.

6. In a device for hoisting and transferring material, a hoisting receptacle, a track for said receptacle, a material-receiving bin located along said track, and provided with a material-receiving opening, a movable closure for said opening, means controllable to cause arresting and dumping of said receptacle when adjacent said opening, and. combined means for actuating said dumping means to dumping position, and for actuating said closure to open position. v

7. In a material elevating and transfer device, a loading bin, a plurality of discharge bins, a track connecting said bins, a receptacle operable on the track, a movable closure for each of said discharge bins, a track switch adapted to divert the receptacle, for purposes of discharge, to a point adjacent one of said discharge bins, a control shaft, an arm on said control shaft for actuating the track switch and an arm on said con trol shaft operable to actuate the closure of the associated discharge bin.

8. In a material elevating and transfer device, a loading bin, a plurality of storage bins, a track connecting said bins, a receptacle operable on the track, a movable closure for each of said storage bins, a track switch adapted to divert .the receptacle, for purposes of discharge, to a point adjacent one of the storage bins, a control shaft, an arm on said control shaft for actuating the track switch, an arm on said control shaft operable to actuate the closure of the associated bin, means for actuating the receptacle along the track, and another arm on said shaft movable to control the energization of said receptacle-actuating means.

9. In a material hoisting and transfer device,

' a storage bin, a movable closure for said storage bin, provided with an abutment, a track, a hoisting receptacle operable along the track, sectional track portions swingable into and out of the plane of the track for switching purposes, a control member for'said swingable track section, a plu-' ralityof'track'wheels on the receptacle, certain of said wheels being arranged to follow an altered course responsively to aggiven placement of the swingable track section, and others thereof arranged to follow the course of the track irrespective of the position of said swingable track portion, whereby to determine a discharge position' of the receptacle as the swingable track portions are selectivelypositioned with respect to the track, and means operable responsively to said control member for positioning the abutment for engagement by a portion of :the receptacle.

10. In a material hoisting and transfer device, a storage bin, a track extending over said bin, a skip bucket movable alongsaid track, a track section movable into and out of the plane of the track, a movable cover for said bin, a control shaft, an arm on said control shaft for actuating the cover of the bin, a second-arm on the control shaft having an operative connection with the movable track section, and means for manually actuating said shaft.

11. In a material hoisting and transfer device, a material-storage bin, a track located over said bin, a skip bucket movable along said track, means for electrically operating the skip bucket, a track section movable into and out of the plane of the track, a movable cover for said bin, a control shaft, an arm on said control shaft for initiating the opening movement of the bin cover, a second arm on the control shaft operatively connected with'thermovable track section, an electric switch in circuit relation with theskip bucket-operating means, an additional arm on said control shaft for actuating the-switch and means for manually actuating said shaft.

12. In a material hoisting and transfer device, a bin, a track disposed over said bin, a skip bucket operable'along said track, a motor-driven hoist and cable associated with the skip bucket for propelling the bucket along the track, a track section movable into and outer" the plane of the track to cause the skip bucket selectively to discharge its contents into said bin, a hinged cover on said bin, 'an arm carriedby'said cover'and ;pro'-' jecting toward the track, and arranged, when'the cover is raised, to project into the path of a portion-of the skip bucket to cause actuation of the cover by the bucket, a control shaft mounted adjacent the bin, an arm on said control shaft provided with a cam for initiating opening movement of the 'bin cover, a second arm on the control shaft, a linkage connecting said arm to the movable track section, a motor switch provided with a switch-actuating lever disposed adjacent the control shaft, a pair of angularly spaced switch-lever-actuating arms carried by the control shaft, a worm' gear on said control shaft, a control wheel, a shaft associated with the control wheel and a Worm on said wheel shaft enmeshing with the worm gear.

WILLIAM F. ANDERSON. 

